SB37 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Motor vehicles, distinctive tags for Alabama Gold Star Family, cost of tag reduced, registration fee exempted, Corporal Matthew T. Bolar Act, Secs. 32-6-630, 40-12-244 am'd.

Summary

SB37, the Corporal Matthew T. Bolar Act, would create a free Alabama Gold Star Family plate for immediate family members of service members who died on active duty and waive the registration fee for one vehicle per family member.

What This Bill Does

Creates a new distinctive license plate category called Alabama Gold Star Family. Eligible immediate family members may receive one plate at no cost and with a waiver of the motor vehicle registration fee for one vehicle. Additional Gold Star Family plates can be purchased at the regular fees plus a $3 issuance fee. It includes documentation requirements to prove eligibility, and plate design must be created by the Alabama Gold Star Family Organization and approved by the Department of Revenue.

Who It Affects

• Immediate family members of a person who died while on active duty in any branch of the U.S. military, who would receive one Gold Star Family plate at no cost and a registration-fee exemption for one vehicle.
• Other family members who want more than one Gold Star Family plate can obtain additional plates by paying regular license fees and a $3 issuance fee.
• Owners of the vehicle with the Gold Star Family plate receive an exemption from the motor vehicle registration fee for one vehicle per family member.
• Groups already eligible for license tax exemptions under existing law (e.g., certain National Guard, reserve members, Civil Air Patrol, volunteer firefighters) continue to have exemptions; Gold Star Family plate recipients add the registration-fee exemption for one vehicle per family member, with design/approval managed by designated organizations.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a distinctive Alabama Gold Star Family license plate category, issued like other distinctive plates.
• Allows an immediate family member of a service member who died on active duty to obtain one Gold Star Family plate at no cost and with a registration-fee exemption for one vehicle; documentation must prove relationship (DD 2064, DD 1300, or notarized affidavit) and the applicant must pay standard license fees and a $3 issuance fee.
• Each family member may receive only one free Gold Star Family plate and one vehicle exemption; additional plates may be purchased with regular fees plus a $3 issuance fee.
• Plate design is to be created by the Alabama Gold Star Family Organization and approved by the Department of Revenue; the act is named the Corporal Matthew Tolar Act; it takes effect October 1, 2015.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles